Law

Law

Overview

Law affects virtually all aspects of our lives and regulates much of our every day activity. During the course students will study criminal and civil law and develop their ability to analyse legal rules and principles and factual issues. Students will construct persuasive legal arguments to offer answers to problems and evaluate the strength of those arguments. Success in the subject will require students to take an interest in current legal affairs, to read widely and write in a clear and concise manner. A good memory is essential because there are a lot of cases to remember. A commitment to progress your study outside the classroom must also be assumed.

Course Outline

English legal system – this includes a study of:
• The criminal courts and the role of magistrates and the jury in criminal trials.
• The way judges interpret Acts of Parliament, e.g. are prostitutes soliciting “in” the street if they are calling out of a window?
• Delegated legislation e.g. is a local authority allowed to try to stop people singing obscene songs in private?
• Legal personnel including barristers, solicitors, legal executives and judges.

Criminal Law – general elements of liability including:
• The offences of assault, battery and grievous bodily harm, together with sentences a defendant may receive.
• The offences of murder, manslaughter and defences which could be raised, e.g. self-defence, consent.
• The offences of theft and robbery.

Civil law – knowledge and understanding of private law including:
• Liability in negligence for injury to people and damage to property.
• Topics such as nuisance, vicarious liability and medical negligence.
• The rules of the law of contract, including warranties and conditions and breach of contract.

Assessment

No Coursework
Examination (100%) – There will be 3 papers at the end of the course which will include multiple choice questions, short answer questions and questions requiring students to construct persuasive legal arguments to answer a problem scenario.
Examining Board – AQA.

Special Entry Requirements

Prohibited Options

None.

Career and Progression Opportunities

Law is one of the most marketable academic qualifications. It is recognised by institutions of Higher Education and complements Politics, Social Science and Business related courses. Apart from the obvious careers of solicitor or barrister, Law students are well liked by industry, commerce and local government and will be found working in retail management, publishing, journalism, the police force, social services and teaching. Recent students have progressed to the Universities of Durham, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath and Nottingham to study a degree in Law or in another subject.

Complementary Subjects or Enrichments

A Level Law will combine with a range of advanced level courses to support non-law based progression routes. Law will complement A level Politics, which includes an element of Law, Government and judges which is the foundation of law making. Politics, Psychology, Sociology and History have traditionally been seen as desirable because of the skills they develop. Mathematics and science subjects can also be studied with A level Law, and encourage a reasoned and logical approach.

Cost Implications

The College Learning Centre subscribes to the Law Review, written by teachers, for students of A Level Law. Students will be expected to read the Law Review regularly and this can be purchased at a discounted rate through the College. Students will be provided with access to appropriate textbooks and learning materials, there is no expectation for the purchase of textbooks.

Links to External Organisations

The department has strong links with the University of Law based in Birmingham, and with Aston University. The department also has links with Sydney Mitchell Solicitors.

Other Information

A study visit to both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts is an opportunity to develop a better understanding of how the law is used and applied in practice. In recent years, students have been able to visit Parliament and the Supreme Court. Students will also be given the opportunity to contribute to a student Law journal.